Why people are happiest on weekends—not at work

There’s a reason you’re happiest on weekends

By Sharon Jayson, USA TODAY

JANUARY 12, 2010

It may be no surprise that people are happier on weekends. But research out today looks at the psychology behind that mood boost. Men and women alike feel better — emotionally and physically — from Friday evening through Sunday afternoon, regardless of their age, education, salary, marital status or how many hours they work, the study says. It’s published in the Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology.

“Why weekends are better are the two factors of autonomy and relatedness,” says co-author Richard Ryan, a psychologist at the University of Rochester, N.Y. “There’s more connection with other people and more self-direction. Wherever you don’t have autonomy or don’t feel relatedness, your well-being will be lower.” And Ryan says that’s “more likely to be at work.”